Level 2 charging for 5-7 hours outdoors in the rain

[Kieran973]

I bought a 2019 SV this week. Tonight will be the first time I use the charge timer on the car and charge for 5 hours overnight. It's supposed to rain a lot tonight, and both my car and EVSE are 100% outside and unprotected from the elements. The EVSE is a Clipper Creek that I had hardwired into the electric line. My question is: should I do anything at all to keep the charging port dry? With the charging lid open, it looks like it will take on a lot of water during 5 hours in a heavy rain storm. Or should I just trust the durability of the car?

[LeftieBiker]

The J-1772 charging protocol is designed for hard rain. The connection is only energized after and while the plug is completely inserted in the waterproof port. As long as the car isn't actually submerged it should be fine.

[cwerdna]

People charge in the rain all the time w/o issue as long as the EVSE is weatherproof. At my work, we have a bunch (at least 2 dozen) J1772 handles that are outside w/no cover overhead. Tons of people (myself included) have charged our EVs out there in the rain.

We also have some that are under cover (e.g. inside our parking structure). Some of those are against a wall where ran can come in. No big deal and no problem.

[Kieran973]

Cool. Thanks for the reassurances. Here goes nothing.

[smkettner]

Normal. No issues, no worries.

[lorenfb]

I always cover the port with plastic when rain is coming. Why not just have an additional level of water protection?

[umdkevin]

both my car and EVSE are 100% outside and unprotected from the elements. The EVSE is a Clipper Creek

I've got this exact same setup, and have charged in both hard rain and snow without any issues or accommodations. Once, snow was caked in the charge area in the morning and I just closed it and went to work. No problems.

[jjeff]

I personally close the outside metal charge door until it touches the J1772 handle, helps a lot for snow and I feel some for rain to keep the majority from landing on the handle. I feel leaving the outside metal cover wide open also draws more attention to it so I basically close it as much as possible when charging.

[LurchOR]

I personally close the outside metal charge door until it touches the J1772 handle, helps a lot for snow and I feel some for rain to keep the majority from landing on the handle. I feel leaving the outside metal cover wide open also draws more attention to it so I basically close it as much as possible when charging.

yep, me too.

[Kieran973]

OK, good idea. I thought about doing that last night, but I wasn't sure if the metal charge door would put too much pressure on the J1772 handle. It did look like it prevents a fair amount of rain though, so I'll try that next time.